6 Crucial Ingredients For Success “An Aptitude Tests”

Employers generally use Aptitude tests to measure the prospective employees’ work-related cognitive capacity. Aptitude tests are one of the most commonly used assessments in measuring candidates’ suitability for a role. The most commonly used set of cognitive tests includes – abstract/conceptual reasoning, verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning.

Fluid Intelligence
Fluid intelligence is the ability to think and reason abstractly, effectively solve problems and think strategically. It is more commonly used to test how smart you are as a candidate and also to know how quickly you can think on your feet.

Crystallised Intelligence
Crystallised intelligence is the ability to learn from past experiences and to apply this learning to work-related situations. Work situations that require crystallised intelligence include producing and analysing written reports, comprehending work instructions, using numbers as a tool to make effective decisions, etc.

So how do you prepare for your next aptitude test so you can improve your chances of clinching the job?

Let us consider 6 ways to do that…

1. Practice Aptitude Tests

Practice of aptitude test questions will increase your performance on real aptitude test. By practicing aptitude tests you will become more familiar with the type of questions you may face during the actual test. Practice as many test questions as you can, this way you are more likely to have seen the same type of question before, giving you an even greater advantage during your test. Make sure you perform at least one simulated aptitude test. During this simulation avoid all distractions (turn off your phone, turn off the TV and music, etc.), make sure the test is timed and arrange no breaks during the test.

2. Correct Study Materials

One should be careful about the study materials to be taken for practice. Study materials should be selected depending on the type of exams one is planning to take. Although in Nigeria the GMAT is the most popular for Aptitude Test interviews, it will however not be proper to assume that the tests will come from there. Do your due diligence to find out what test material will be used.

3. Recapitulate

For aptitude tests, you need to first forget about what you learnt in higher institution. Most of the questions come from basic Mathematics and English from upper primary to secondary school level. To start aptitude test preparation, you should be very clear about the basic concepts of Mathematics, English and General Knowledge. GMAT captures most of the topics and questions you can find in any aptitude test. There are many GMAT sample tests online, you can lay your hands on any of them.

This is very crucial as it helps to eliminate questions in exams and select the right question to attempt. You should be able to analyze the topics in which you are a bit weak and the topics where you have an edge. This is not very difficult as after regular practice you can easily know the respective topics. After the analysis your aim should be to focus on the weak topics such that at least the easy ones from those could be solved if not the difficult ones. But in addition to that you should be so strong in the topics which you believe you are strong in that you should be able to solve difficult questions with much accuracy.

5. Smart Work

You have probably heard that hard work is the key to success, but now the emphasis is on ‘Smart Work’. You should be smart enough to utilize time effectively and prepare in a smart way. Smart way refers to practicing what is required. Passing an aptitude test doesn’t require being a genius.

6. Sleep and eat

The day before your test, make especially sure that you eat well and avoid alcohol. Make sure that you get enough sleep. On the day of your test get a good breakfast, even if you normally skip it. You need to keep your mental focus on your test and not on your hunger. If you really cannot stomach food, try and sip some soft drinks. It is advisable that you should eat brain-boosting food; this includes protein-rich foods which can lead to greater mental alertness. Good food choices include eggs, nuts, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

Put these 6 things into consideration as you prepare for your next aptitude test. It sure will turn out successful!